Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1887-07-02

continuance arranged in similar manner
to draughting apparatus familiar to
every one. The pieces intended for
carving are fatty secured with clamps
under knife attached to a long arm
connected with and worked by compli-
Gated arrangement. AT the opposite end
of this arm pin is fastened to it perpen-
dicularly The working plan of the leaf
or ornament to be made is laid under
this pin, and when the machine is started
the operator moves the pin along the
outline of the sketch and the knife thus
directed cuts and carves the wood. Re
leased from this position, the hand-carver
takes it and works out the details, shapes,
and gives the character to it intended
by the designer. The machine has done
the laborious part, and the skillful work
man is thus greatly assisted. All the
parts are then sand-papered by hand and
filled" with liquid preparation to rem
der the surface even for the application
of varnish. After filling they are rubbed
with sand-paper again, then fitted to-
gether and glued.
A machine has recently been invented
in six minutes-the work of at least two
hours for the same men by hand. 1t
consists of two iron uprights shaped
like an inverted letter Y securely bolted
to the floor and set about six feet apart.
Extending through the top of each up
right is thread cut arm which is ad-
justed to revolve. A wheel is bolted on
the end outside the upright and on the
inside end is frame fitted with thumb
screws, just wide enough TO hold the
sides of the bureau. A pot of hot glue
stands by, and the grooves cut for the two
ends of the bottom rail the top and drawer
division boards being well coated with
this glue, the different parts are fitted
in, the two wheels on the arms are turned,
which brings pressure to bear, and
holds the whole in position until the
screws are set. The screw holes are
bored in each piece before they come to
this machine. The screws are put into
the holes and set in one motion by
means of the spiral screwdriver, doing
away with the old laborious twist. Thus
set up the bureau is taken to the var
nisher, receives several coats of varnish,
and when this is "set" the polishers take
it in hand and rub it down with rotten
stone and oil. 1t is seldom that the fine
polish of piano case is desired, but if it
should be the polishing process is sup
plemented by thorough rubbing down
with rottenstOne and water. All the
other pieces of furniture are vanished
like the bureau excepting those which
are simply oiled
Great taste is at present displayed in
upholstery, and beautiful designs IN
gobelin tapestry, cretonne, illuminated
or embossed leather and raw silk are EN-
ployed. Raw silk is only used for eX-
pensive chairs and divans. Tapestry is
beautifully set off by the introduction of
silk plush and fringe, the latter costing
from $40 to $15 per yard. Suites thus
treated are intended for drawing rooms.
where the hangings and general outfit are
very rich and elaborate. Cretonne is used
principally for chamber-suites, but this
is not arbitrary, some modest parlor-
suites being rendered very tasteful by
subdued patterns of this covering
Leather is for the library or din
ingroom, and is at once unique and
durable. Chamber and parlor-suites
in white and gold are always in
fashion if ones taste runs in that direc-
ton, but generally the eye wearies of it